Remembering all of the essentials you need to pack in your pool bag can be tricky for even the most seasoned mom, so we took a quick poll on our Facebook page for a refresher on the must-haves to take to the pool this summer.
Basics
Towels, bathing caps, goggles, ear plugs, swim diapers, change of clothes (don't forget underwear!), flip-flops or water shoes, comb or brush, shampoo, and plastic bags for your wet stuff.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, bathing suit cover-ups, and extra t-shirts for your kids if they start to get sunburned.
Entertainment
Nook, magazines (New Jersey Family anyone?), family-friendly games that travel well, waterproof toys that sink so they can be thrown into the pool for kids to retrieve, books (Fifty Shades of Gray is a popular choice for many!). (Need inspiration for fun at the pool? Here are 11 Cool Pool Games and some Wild and Wacky Water Games!)
Food and Drink
Bottled water, iced tea packets, snacks (watermelon, blueberries, yogurt tubes that have been frozen), a cooler filled with sandwiches and other perishables, money for the snack bar, and change for the vending machine.
Emergency
Change of clothes for everyone, band-aids, and a first-aid kit.
And of course, you'll need a fabulous pool bag to stash all these things. A few favorites are totes by Echo, Milano Series, and Tommy Hilfiger. Echo also has a Terry Beach Reader bag with a waterproof lining–perfect for protecting your eReader.
What pool bag essentials did we miss? Share what you always carry in your pool bag!